Dan Burn header against Brighton moves Newcastle one step closer to Champions League football

Dan Burn’s header moved Newcastle one step closer to Champions League football with a 4-1 win over Brighton.

Eddie Howe’s side went into the clash with the Seagulls knowing that a victory would put them four points ahead of fifth-placed Liverpool with just two games remaining.

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AFP

Roberto De Zerbi’s side also came into the game with an outside hope of a top four finish, however that appears to be up in smoke after a bright start from the Magpies.

Newcastle took the lead when Deniz Undav scored an own goal following a Kieran Trippier set piece midway through the first half.

It was then Burn’s chance to make himself a hero as he too headed home from a Trippier free-kick to make it 2-0 to the Tynesiders before the half-time break.

A hugely popular figure at St James’ Park, Burn enjoyed his header even more as it came against his former employers Brighton, the club who allowed him to leave in January 2022.

He’s also the first former Brighton player to score against them in the Premier League.

But while Newcastle were delighted to hold a 2-0 lead at the break, they were put to task early in the second half when Undav made up for his earlier own goal with a low effort for Brighton, teeing up a tense second half for both sides.

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After a nervy second half, Callum Wilson looked to have wrapped up the win in the 89th minute with a neat finish, before Bruno Guimaraes slammed home to finish the evening in style.

As a result, Newcastle need just three more points to guarantee Champions League football with the Magpies holding a significant advantage over both Man United and Liverpool.